Makeup Artists Say These Drugstore Eye Shadows Rival Luxury Formulas

The best drugstore eye shadows prove that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get rich color payoff, a smooth blend, and long-lasting wear. Once known for chalky textures and sheer pigments, today’s affordable eye shadows rival their high-end counterparts, with thoughtfully curated shade ranges and finishes that work for everyday makeup and full glam. Whether you’re after a swipe-and-go shadow stick for busy mornings, a neutral palette you can wear on repeat, or vibrant shades that were made for a night out, the drugstore has you covered. Ahead, we tapped professional makeup artists and tested a range of formulas ourselves to find the best shadows that deliver impressive results (without the luxury price tag).

Our Top Drugstore Eye Shadows

Best Overall: ColourPop Super Shock Shadow

Why it’s worth it: Sold as singles or trios, ColourPop’s Super Shock Shadows are the kind of sparkly staples you’ll keep reaching for again and again. The pigment is seriously next-level, the shade range is massive (38 and counting), and the blend is effortless. Even better? They cost less than $10 each, but you’d never guess it from the way they blend. The cream-to-powder formula melts onto lids, sets in place, and lasts all day without creasing. According to New York City-based makeup artist Amanda Gabbard, Colourpop shadows are “incredibly blendable and just feel luxurious.” Unlike some shimmery shades that look dull once applied, these deposit bold, almost-metallic color with just one swipe. For the most intense swipe, we like using our fingers or a flat, firm brush. For a sheer, soft wash of shimmer, opt for a fluffy brush.

Most Versatile: e.l.f. Cosmetics Perfect 10 Eye Shadow Palette

Why it’s worth it: E.l.f. really earns the name here: The Perfect 10 Eye Shadow Palette offers a smart mix of velvety mattes and iridescent shades that instantly brighten the lids, according to Gobbard, which lend themselves to nearly limitless possibilities. Even better, the mattes are richly pigmented and easy to blend, so there’s none of that dry, crumbly fallout. Whether you’re going for a soft wash of color in the crease or layering multidimensional shades for something bolder, this palette makes it almost impossible to miss.

Best for Mature Skin: Maybelline New York City Mini Palette

Why it’s worth: When shopping for eye shadow for mature skin, a formula that keeps fine lines in mind is key. That’s exactly why Los Angeles-based makeup artist Renée Loiz is a fan of the Maybelline New York City Mini Palette. “It blends beautifully into textured lids,” she says. The creamy mattes and shimmers both buff out seamlessly, softening the look of wrinkles rather than emphasizing them. With eight different colorways ranging from everyday neutrals to party-ready shades, this palette “consistently delivers blendable, wearable colors with impressive payoff,” adds makeup artist Alexa Persico (she notes that the mattes in particular perform well above their price point).

Best Eye Shadow Stick: L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick

Why it’s worth it: Everyone needs a swipe-and-go eye shadow stick for rushed mornings. Gabbard swears by L’Oréal Paris’s Paradise Le Shadow Stick for its “silky-smooth finish that glides on easily and never pulls on the eyelid’s delicate skin.” The formula is buildable, so it never looks too thick or cakey, and you can layer it on whenever you want a little extra shimmer. “It’s truly a failproof item,” she says. Available in 14 shades, each one delivers rich color that’s transfer- and smudge-resistant—meaning you get impressive payoff and easy blendability, with or without a brush.

Easiest to Blend: Juvia’s Place The Coffee Shop Palette

Why it’s worth it: “Juvia’s Place has some of the richest pigment payoff you’ll find at a drugstore price,” says Loiz—and The Coffee Shop Palette is proof. The 16-pan lineup of matte and sparkly shades takes inspiration from your favorite café drinks and blends like a dream—seriously, just a few swipes do the trick—and the colors translate from pan to lid with impressive intensity. Just add a swipe of mascara, and you’re good to go.

Best Color Options: Nyx Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette

Why it’s worth it: If you’re ready to play with color, New York City-based makeup artist Alexa Persico says Nyx Professional Makeup excels at creating thoughtful color stories with its Ultimate Shadow Palettes. “The warmer neutrals and jewel tones layer easily and allow for full glam or soft-focus looks,” she explains. Take I Know That’s Bright, for example: The mix of vibrant purples and sparkly reds is ideal for anyone who loves to experiment. Prefer something more low-key? Warm Neutrals delivers the same smooth blendability in an easy, everyday palette.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between drugstore eye shadows and more prestige brands?

“The main differences between drugstore and prestige eye shadows typically come down to pigment refinement, wear time, and packaging,” says Loiz. “However, brands like Juvia’s Place are proving that drugstore formulas can perform just as well as high end options.” In fact, many makeup artists often reach for drugstore shadows first. “Drugstore formulas today offer excellent payoff for everyday looks, especially in mattes and basic shimmer tones,” says Persico. She notes that they also tend to offer more accessible color ranges for beginners and impressive quality at an affordable price point—making experimentation feel low-risk. “Honestly, in many cases, the average person won’t notice a huge difference in day-to-day wear, especially if you use a good eye primer and the right brushes,” Persico adds.

How do you pick the best drugstore eye shadow?

New York City-based makeup artist Jennifer Nam previously told Allure that powder eye shadows tend to work best for most people, thanks to their seamless blendability. With the right powder, you can build color gradually, without any harsh lines. That said, if you have oily lids, a cream eye shadow stick or liquid formula may be a better fit. Creams are also a smart choice for mature skin, as “they have a smoother texture and are less likely to settle into fine lines and wrinkles,” New York City–based makeup artist Lisa Aharon previously told Allure. She favors matte finishes in particular, noting that they create a softly diffused look that’s more forgiving on texture.

Meet the experts

How we test and review products

Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide, inclusive shade range with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is the packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?

For our review of the best eye shadows, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete review process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness, a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine, or you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from are folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

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